Are we really capable of doing that? I heard that everytime they test it it fails. What will happen if we fail? Do you think it's possible that N. Korea is just trying to scare us? I 'm really confused about this.
2006-06-20 14:36:24 · 4 answers · asked by mountaingirl88 3 in News & Events ➔ Current Events
Yes we can shoot it down. Don't get yourself all upset. This kind of stuff has gone on for years. Look at history, like the Cuban Missile Crisis.
2006-06-20 14:41:30 · answer #1 · answered by Loo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, I think we have a good chance of shooting down any inbound missiles. Go waaaaay back to 1991. We used Patriot missiles to intercept SCUD missiles during the Gulf War.
There was a lot of disagreement about just how successful that was. However, at least one was shown to have been shot down. So, yes, it is possible and we are capable at least in one case. Also, consider that we've had 15 years to develop something better (although missile defense hasn't exactly been a priority for us since the end of the Cold War).
If you look back at the Cold War, you will probably be less confused about what is going on. Missile-based nuclear war is a game of hypothetics because any such fight would end quickly and planning is all that matters. So you see lots and lots of chest beating.
The N. Koreans would like to "test" a long-range missile capable of delivering a nuclear payload. The US sees this as a hostile act because the obvious interpretation of this is NK telling US, "Hey, look, we could hit you if we wanted to."
The US response is to show that any incoming missiles could be shot down. So, they respond with another test that is interpreted as, "If you did that, we would shoot it down."
No actual combat takes place. It's just a bunch of showing off and demonstration to make the other side nervous. If NK *actually* shot a missile at the US, a nuclear sub or two would actually be quite capable of erasing the entire country, the peninsula, China, much of SE Asia, etc.
It's just macho chest beating. Ignore it. If you don't like it, protest it.
2006-06-20 21:51:09 · answer #2 · answered by sideshot72 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope we can shoot it down......who knows with all the budget cuts the morons on capital hill have made in weaponry and the military.
2006-06-20 23:42:38 · answer #3 · answered by Moma 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
with bush as president i dont want to scare any one but bush is a fool with him in charge it could hit him and his family he still wound not know it its the cold hard truth
2006-06-21 16:19:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋